Outline is Representative of Size and Shape:

Name Details:

Identified By: Howard D. Winters
Named For: Type site
Date Identified: 1967
Type Site:The Pond and Dickson Camp Site (Fv35-P and Fv35D), Dickson Mound Site, Fulton Cunty, Illinois
Point Validity: Valid Type

Winters is a distinguished anthropologist who did extensive research in Illinois.  He identified this point during the survey of the Wabash Valley in Illinois.  This point was named in a professional publication and has many professional references.  This is a valid type.



Dickson Contracting Stem
AKA: Adena Dickson
Cluster: Dickson Contracting Stem Cluster
Description of Physical Characteristics and Flaking Pattern:
This is a thin medium to large contracting stemmed triangular point with a thin flattened cross section.  The blade primarily has a straight or excurvate shape, though some examples may have an incurvate shape.   The blade commonly exhibits alternate bevel re-sharpening.  Bases and stems are often moderately ground.   The shoulders most commonly have an upward tapper, but may also be horizontal or a slightly downward angle.  The stem is contracting.  The base may range from straight to slightly concaved having a "squarish" or truncated appearance.  The base is always thinned and may have moderate grinding  This point is manufactured using random percussion flaking with marginal pressure retouching forming a random flaking pattern and most points have a high quality of workmanship.
Size Measurements:

Total Length - 50 to 150 mm,  Stem Length - 15 to 25 mm,  Blade Width - 30 to 55 mm,  Stem Width at Shoulders - 15 to 25 mm,  Basal Width- 8 to 15 mm
Commonly Utilized Material:

Heat treated local cherts especially Burlington chert and Cobden chert.
Additional Comments:

Points in this cluster were commonly used from the late Archaic period through the early to middle Woodland period (Justice 1987).

This point is part of the Hopewell Culture and is often, incorrectly, associated with the Adena culture.
Distribution:
Distribution Comments:

These points are most commonly found in the Illinois and Kaskaskia River valleys with decreased frequency into Indiana, Michigan, and into Wisconsin, but may be found throughout the Ohio River valley into the Tennessee and Mississippi River valleys.  They may be found with less frequency in other highlighted areas.
Age / Periods:

Date: 3,000 - 1,300 B.P.
Cultural Period: Late Archaic to Woodland
Glacial Period: Neoglacial to Roman Warm
Culture: Black Sand and Havana Hopewell cultures
Age Details:

In Illinois, Dickson points are most frequency associated with Havana tradition assemblages. (Morrow, 2016).
Similar Points:
BurkettCoahuila, Cypress CreekHidden Valley, LangtryMarionMorrow MountainNew MarketNewnan
Other points in this cluster / Related points:
AdenaBelknap, GaryLittle Bear CreekPoplar IslandRossville, Waubesa
Pictures:


Pictures Provided By:

Matthew Clarke
Harold Johnston
Stephen Turner
Puget Sound Knappers (Richard "Mike" Steele)
Brandon McGuire
Vince Barrows
Western Artifacts


Dickson Projectile Point, Dickson Arrowhead
Adena Dickson Projectile Point, Adena Dickson Arrowhead
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References: (See Reference Page, Entry Number):

30, 92
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